Pantheon

A still highly incomplete guide to some of the gods, goddesses, deities, demigods, demons, devils and other belief sytems that exist on Pewfell's Earth

Religions of the world are, on the average, complementary and tolerant; even strange and fanatic deities seldom demand exclusiveness from their followers - not to speak of fighting disbelievers. Still, there are some cults that exclude each other's worship, as the nature of one might lift or counteract that of another - like you wouldn't want to drink beer along with chocolate cake.

Though - as is expected of them - most religions promise an afterlife, in some horrendous circumstances one might not be as dead as would seem appropriate: the life-force (something different from the soul) may be funnelled back again into a dead body or even skeleton. The resulting zombie or revenant has nothing in common with the former being except the shape (more or less). Through a bitter fate or curse, a soul can be left with the life-force, but not the body of its own; the result is a ghost. Ghosts of mages and wizards do often keep their magical abilities.

Here are some if the most popular gods and goddesses:

Major Gods

• Crwm - Demon Lord, the hideous wyrm god, back to the mortal plane. It was Pewfell and Bish who eventually succeeded in defeating Crwm, who now resides within one of the larger cells of the Spirekassle municipal dungeon. Crwm is often worshipped as the god of death, since his main purpose on this plane is to feed on mortal souls. Nobody likes to die, but the powerful priests of death are outright feared. They often build their temples outside cities and villages, and sometimes remote monasteries in wayward regions (a notable exception is in Spirekassle, but even there legends state that the temple of Crwm pre-dtes the city which grew up around it. The darkly aura that surrounds the worshippers of Crwm isn't intentional or even justified, as the monasteries are generally hospitable to travellers, and the temples fulfil worthy services to the community - for instance the Temple of Crwm in Spirekassle houses a museum. Priests of Death suffer a malus of 1 pt on charisma to add a 1 pt bonus on their attack throw. The mightiest magic of healing and death are being taught amongst these priests, summoning, enchanting and protection spells are used here, too. Study of death and dark forces push a priest or acolyte over the edge sometimes, adventurers are needed then to get rid off the nuisance.
  Favourite weapon: sickles and scythes, also staves and cudgels
• Lug - Sun God
  Very old, but rather shrunken in importance is the God of Light, which is claimed to be (chiefly by his priests) the father of all gods. It may be caused by an earlier support of the wrong political force (Kings? Emperors? The Sun Priests are very secretive about that), maybe playing the "father" card too much. Many of the great temples of the Sun are rented to other cults, sold, or abandoned altogether. The religion, itself, is still alive, even though somewhat hidden. The priests still command the powerful sun and death magic, creation, and many spells of protection and the elements.
  Favourite weapons: sceptre, darts
• Lorin- The Lover, Earth's smaller moon, that orbits around its larger moon, Lurana.
  The small moon circles the great one, for this reason he‚s called "the lover" or "follower"
  Priests of the Lorin work astral magic, they master revelation and use it for protection and magic securing. Their magic of death is frightening. Holy men (and women) of Lorin are civilized sages, reclusive folk, concentrated on research and wisdom. This religion isn't wide-spread and popular, but recognised and deeply respected. Temples are always situated adjacent to or close by Temples of Lurana.
  Favourite weapon: stiletto, dagger.
  
• Lurana - The Huntress, Earth's Largest (Great) moon
  Mighty, old magic is woven around the cult of the Moon Goddess. Some wise old men say that she's elder than earth itself, but wise men in midworld aren't necessarily all that credible.
  Favourite weapon: slings, arrows, mace.
• Lurgi - The misshapen one, lord of all things unpleasant and master of sewage. Chaotic and evil in nature, Lurgi was once the patron deity of Spirekassle. This fact is now mostly forgotten by it's inhabitants, but the deepest, darkest and most ancient sewers were originally built as his temple. Leaving an offering for Lurgi is still used as euphemism for going to the bathroom. Lurgi is worshipped by thieves and artists, (e.g.) and chefs, too, have their reasons to direct prayers to him. His cult is occult and reclusive. Most often it's just a small talisman that indicates the follower of this God, and his congregations appear to be pub meetings or literature circles. The priests are cunning and secretive people who'd never admit their identity (lies are allowed by this heavenly authority); they work fighting spells, creation, enchanting and summoning, they also can either heal or do the dark magic of death, but not both.
  Favourite weapon: dagger, throwing dagger
• Gaia - Goddess of the Earth Mother and creator of all
  Truly the champion among the gods. Superior to the others in some way, this goddess is beloved by all who favour having ground beneath their feet. Her priests are healers, may summon elementals, and deal with plants and animals. They have the ability to work influence upon the weather, this is the chief reason why she's worshipped in the countryside very much. There are many followers, but no fanatic sects or secret orders. The Goddess of the Earth is worshipped nearly everywhere, there are many cloisters and temples, and even in the most remote corner one might find a shrine or chapel for her veneration.
  This cult entertains no temples, but holds his masses below the open skies; these congregations are called in by the wandering priests and druids at their will. Druids sometimes settle down in sacred groves and take a fancy in peculiar stones. They master astral magic, command plants and animals, they are able to enchant and heal.
  Favourite weapons: cudgel, staves.
  
• Fluka - Goddess of chance, luck and fate. Also worshipped as goddess of merchants and trading. Usually viewed as a maiden or lasy, sometimes this goddess is also venerated in a motherly aspect - "Mother Fluka". Her cult is powerful and influential in midworld, and its priests respected and feared. They manage astral magic as well as revelation, fighting, protection and securing spells. Their representative temples are situated in the vicinity of larger cities‚ trade guilds and stock exchanges; the worshippers are very elite and often fat.
  Favourite weapon: net and pike
• K’ar-Num - Horned god, capricious woodland spirit, cruel trickster, master of the wild woods and lord of chaos - shown here in one of his many incarnations, manifested from a midsummer bonfire. Not actually evil, but dangerously chaotic.

Demons and Demigods:

• Angramad - The God of Wrath
  Some say that this god was present long before humans even were vainly seeking for the other gods, but that's just a rumour. Angramad doesn't only supply irate fits, but also provides inspiration, enlightenment, invention and ideas, and thus isn't so bad after all. His priests are welcomed as teachers and researchers in universities and schools, and shunted from governmental institutions and offices. They do revelation, summoning and fighting magic, they can heal and do light spells.
  Favourite weapon: mace, war hammer
• Hornbag - Goddess - Possible a maiden aspect of the Earth Mother. little is known of this goddess, Bish Bathenwell seems to be the only priest who has ever heard of her, however he assigns her her a high place in the pantheon of the Gods. This is not disputed by the priests of the more orthodox cults - either because they don't wish to admit their ignorance, are in fear of offending a goddess thay may or may not exist, but mostly because they just want to get Bish to shut up and go away..
• Hornia - Witch Queen of the Scraper Mountains
  This terrifying three thousand year old naga is half sister of the goddess Hornbag. She rules over a foul army of orcs, goblins and other mutants from her fortress lair deep in the black heart of the Scraper Mountains. Mistress of evil sorcery and bent on the conquest of the earth, she is one hot date.
  
  hornia really does get a kick out of being evil - in fact too much evil laughter actually gives her an orgasm - Pewfell is quite good at causing her laugh evilly, thus she has developed a kind of crush on him.
  
• Neptune - The God of the Sea
  For obvious reasons spread only in coastal regions (but there even the more), this god is beloved by his worshippers very much. The priests work elemental and weather-magic, they heal, master fighting and protection spells. In their home cities, priests of the God of the Sea are respected like captains; on the flat land those rough fellows appear a bit awkward. Priests of the Sea-God have a strict hierarchy and close binding to their religious superior, whom they try to evade by prolonged journeys and excessive seafaring.
  Favourite weapon: trident, whiplash
• Aqua - The Goddess of Waters
  Lovely and graceful is the image of this goddess, as depicted by her followers. Some mistake her for the Goddess of Love, and at least the priests of the Water-Goddess claim the former to be just one aspect of their own goddess. They do elemental, creative and enchanting magic, they are able to work summoning and protection spells. This cult has a dark side, and some say that human sacrifices were offered to the Goddess of Waters in ancient times. This may be the reason why there aren‚t as many temples for her worship as seems appropriate to her beautiful picture and gay appearance.
  Favourite weapon: sling, arrows
• Venus - The Goddess of Love
  Second most popular to the Goddess of the Earth. Priests of the Goddess of Love get a 1 pt bonus on their charisma, but they may do only enchanting, protective and creative spells. Temples of Love in many different fashions are widely spread, ranking from a sober rural church to great cathedrals (with affiliated brothels) in capitals. „Priest of Love‰ is almost a cuss word, but the person respective is welcomed heartily almost every time and often a person of great wisdom.
  Favourite weapon: none, but if forced into a fight, cudgels and staves
• The God of Fighting
  Said to be the former "God of War", he has been rechristened to "God of Fighting" after most people learned that wars may be lost, and "God of Defence" sounded silly. With his new identity, he's responsible for sports and politics, too. His priests are sly, eloquent people with innate instincts for leadership, they have side earnings as counsellors or attorneys very often, and sometimes they even work as judges. Magic employed by these priests are, of course, fighting spells, but also healing, light and revelation; in addition, they may wield all weapons they can get their hands on.
  Favourite weapon: all
  

Lesser demons:

• Baa-Lan - Bovid protector of Sheep and Goats

Thanks to Jan Hochbruck for developing the majority of this material.